20 Masterpieces of Green Graffiti

20 Masterpieces of Green Graffiti

Imagine an art form that uses living, respiring material; an art form that creates mini eco-systems in often complex and beautiful patterns. It changes the face of urban landscapes and redefines the term “urban jungle.” It breathes life anew.

Welcome to the world of green graffiti – masterpieces crafted in moss and grass. Here you’ll find some of the most incredible works of this rare and unusual art form and how to make it yourself.

Mossenger is the brainchild of London-based artist, Anna Garforth. Inspired by guerilla gardening collectives, who aim to enrich dilapidated public spaces, and Andy Goldsworthy, a British artist who creates site-specific art installations from materials and tools found on site, Anna is currently working on an on-going moss street art project.

Anna knew people had been growing for moss for years so when she came across a recipe on the internet she decided to further explore the possibility using it in her art. Realizing the mixture may have taken several weeks to prepare and produce unpredictable results, Anna went for the quick fix, big effect.

Attaching the moss to the wall using completely biodegradable ingredients, the moss will hopefuly colonize and grow.

Anna explains: “This is the first in an on-going project, and I have much experimentation to do in terms of how and where I place it. The piece is the first sentence of a verse. The second sentence of the verse will be made and displayed somewhere else around the city [London] in a couple of weeks time, and so on until the whole verse has been transcribed.”

What’s so refreshing about Tokodi’s work is that she urges people to interact with her art, to touch it, feel it, use all the senses in appreciating this environmental and natural art; a far cry from the stiff, sterile art galleries we’re more familiar with.

Originally created by horticulturists keen to add interest to their garden designs, this recipe for moss can be used as an environmentally-friendly alternative to spray paint.

RECIPE
You will need a blender to make the mixture and if you plan to grow your moss outdoors you will also need a seed tray filled with compost.

Several clumps of moss

1 pot of natural yoghurt or 12oz buttermilk (experiment to see which works best)

1/2 teaspoon of sugar

Plastic pot (with a lid)

Paint brush

Spray-mister

Seemingly, getting the recipe to work can be quite difficult, the location and weather conditions need to be spot on. Moss thrives best in damp areas so if you have to grow it indoors make sure you spray it with water frequently. As soon as it starts to grow, transplant it in your chosen location and watch your graffiti art spread.